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COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. - Heavy snowfall and howling winds didn't slow Maddie Bowman's new 900 that landed her in first at the Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix.

Despite treacherous conditions, the South Tahoe resident won the women's halfpipe competition at the Visa U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix on Friday, Jan. 11, at Copper Mountain.

"I am really happy. My right 900 is a new trick. I learned it last year, and I used it for the first time at the Dew Tour and so far it is working out for me," Bowman said.

Bowman's winning run consisted of a right 900 into a left 540 mute-grab, straight air with safety grab, left 900 to right 720 and switch 540.

Teammate Brita Sigourney of Carmel, Calif., came in third with a run of 900 to ally-oop to 540 to right 540 to 720.

Both U.S. women also also started collecting Olympic qualifying points, and started their climb toward the 2014 Winter Games.

"It is an exciting time for our sport right now with the Olympics, and the competition is stiff - I mean look at Brita [Sigourney]. But I love competing with her and Roz [Groenwoud]," Bowman said. "I am glad to be here and get this season started right."

David Wise of Reno, Nev., placed third in the men's competition with a right side 900 to double cork 1260 followed by switch 720.

"I was having a perfect run for my first run. I was excited and I caught a snow snake and went down. It's part of the game," Wise said. "I put extra pressure on myself for my second run and had to scale back a bit. You scale back and that's what puts you in third place."